Archive
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New pupils make mark
PUPILS about to start at a secondary school have been brightening up the corridors of their new learning environment with murals. A group of new starters at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, painted the corridor as part
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Environmental award
A CONSTRUCTION firm has won an environmental award for eco-friendly additions to Middlestone Moor Primary School, near Spennymoor, and Catchgate Primary School, near Annfield Plain. Miller Construction, which did the work, has been awarded the County
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Trips organised
A CHARITY to help older people is organising three trips from Newton Aycliffe and Darlington this month. The Friends of Senior Citizens charity, based in Newton Aycliffe, is arranging visits to Holy Island on August 20, Hexham, via Stanhope, on August
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Farmer tests market for organic food
A FARMER who gave up his prize-winning dairy herd to switch to organic methods has opened a farm shop. Ken Wade, who runs the 260-acre Larberry Pastures farm, between Stockton and Darlington, off Darlington Back Lane, near Longnewton Village, hopes the
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Centre marks learning milestone
A COMPUTER learning centre has welcomed its 4,000th student. Helen Brooks, from Heighington, enrolled at the Newton Aycliffe Computer Learning Centre last week because she wants to add to her computing qualifications. The 21-year-old, who has recently
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Deadly virus threat to seals
FEARS are growing for the future of the region's seal population after a killer virus returned to English shores. There is no known cure for the phocine distemper virus (PDV), which can kill a healthy seal within a matter of days. The alarm was raised
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Services for the elderly reviewed
A REVIEW aimed at identifying gaps in the provision of district council services for elderly people across Hambleton is under way. Councillors are examining the services provided by their own local authority, as well as other agencies. Finance and resources
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Pack a card, any card
ANYONE planning an exotic holiday this summer should drop into O'Neill's, in Claypath, Durham City, on their way to the airport. That is because manager Michelle Cupples is handing out postcards to customers to take with them on holiday, so they can send
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Snapped up
A COUNTY Durham student who completed an HND in newspaper design and information graphics has landed a job with a national newspaper. Benn Storey, 20, of Chester-le-Street, who studied at Newcastle College, has been snapped up by The Mail on Sunday to
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Pancho gets a hand with prickly problem
HEDGEHOG lover Pauline Hindmarch has cared for more prickly patients than she would probably care to remember, so her latest guest was something of a mystery. Three-year-old Pancho looked anything but a happy hog last year when it began losing its spines
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Businessman loses cancer battle at 64
A businessman whose family firm owned a chain of stores in the region has died aged 64. Jim Gatenby, who helped his elder brothers, Joe and Wilf, establish ten outlets in County Durham, had been fighting cancer for three years. Born in Quarrington Hill
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Police renew hunt for thieves who robbed dying man
DETECTIVES hope this picture will help in their hunt for thieves who robbed a man as he lay dying in the street. John Clayton, known as Mick, collapsed in Darlington in the early hours of the morning after a Friday night out and was powerless to act as
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£700,000 Lottery money aids water sports project
PLANS for a seafront water sports centre have been given a boost by Sport England. The sports development agency is giving £719,074 of National Lottery money to the £1m project near Sunderland Marina. The Sunderland Marine Activities Centre, a club and
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Porky python is on a diet
A PET which outgrew its former home is shedding pounds prior to flying off to the sun. Pampered python Scarlet is the heaviest ever creature taken in at the Reptile Trust in Burnopfield. Although only 11ft-long, the Burmese python weighs 14 stones and
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Experts probe swarms of flies
BEWILDERED villagers are being urged not to panic over swarms of creepy crawlies which have invaded their remote community. An investigation is under way into swarms of flies which have emerged in Burton Leonard, a village near Ripon, North Yorkshire,
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Vintage cars go on display
VINTAGE car enthusiasts are in for a treat this weekend when an array of pristine vehicles go on display. The Vintage Weekend is being staged at the Discovery Centre at Seaton Holme, in Easington Village, east Durham, on Saturday and Sunday. Among the
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Ashleigh signs up
A competitive youngster has proved that girls can be as good as boys at football after recently becoming the first girl to win a contract with Darlington Football Club's Boys' Academy. Ashleigh Leighton, nine, has signed a contact which ties her to the
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Hear All Sides: FOOTBALL FINANCES
I AGREE with everything George Reynolds said (Echo, Aug 8) about the state of football, players and their wages. Everybody was against him when he took over the club and divulged what was being paid to certain players. Now just take a look at the Premier
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Water skiers prepare to make splash on television
THE Northern Regional Water Ski Championships are taking place this weekend with more than 100 competitors hoping to make a big splash. The event, at the Tees Barrage, Stockton, attracts competitors from across the North, including juniors, but predominantly
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Warning to kidnapper
A MAN pleaded guilty yesterday to kidnapping a former girlfriend at gunpoint. Glen Thwaite, 31, from Thornaby, Teesside, was arrested after threatening to throw himself from a flyover on the A66 in an incident which involved police, the fire brigade and
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Disease crisis prompts business plan review
AN award-winning pottery and damson cheese maker is all smiles again thanks to help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire. The Garden House and Garden House Pottery, of Reeth, the UK's only commercial producer of damson cheese, was badly affected
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Orange cheque helps to bring colour to victorian park
VISITORS to an annual festival have raised more than £1,400 towards the restoration of a Victorian park. While enjoying a weekend of entertainment at the Orange Darlington Festival, those who crowded into Darlington Market Square last year were also contributing
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Last Night's TV: Brainteaser (C5): Catchphrase (ITV): Liar (BBC2)
The secrets hidden beneath a Buddhist monk's robes. AMONG all the big money game shows and quizzes encouraging people to stab fellow contestants in the back, there are still programmes stuck in a time warp. You don't need to be Mensa's top brain to work
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Criticised A & E gets new consultant
A HOSPITAL criticised for failings in its accident and emergency has appointed a new consultant to the department. Dr Richard Hardern joins the casualty ward at the University Hospital of North Durham. The department was criticised last week by North
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Celebrating rail heritage
TRAIN enthusiasts are pooling their resources for a three-week exhibition. Model trains, photographs and old British Rail uniforms are included in the display, which opens in Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre, County Durham, today. Railway heritage organisations
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Facelift under way for village
WORK has started on implementing an environmental masterplan to improve Ferryhill Station. The plan was developed by Groundwork East Durham after being awarded money from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) last year. Groundwork looked at existing information
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Father and son robbed widower
A FATHER and son were locked up yesterday after a court heard how they robbed an old soldier in his home. The 81-year-old widower, who lives alone, was considered "an easy target" by Robert Emery, 41, and his son, Darren, 19, who were looking for money
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'Call me by midnight' appeal to kidnapper
The detective hunting Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman has issued a dramatic personal appeal to their abductor: "Ring me by midnight tonight". Police have set up a telephone hotline for the exclusive use of anyone who might be holding the ten-year-old
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A platform for youth voice
CHILDREN will be speaking up against bullying, racism and world poverty through drama and dance, at a special two-day conference. About 300 young people, aged between three and 14, will gather at Newcastle Civic Centre today and tomorrow. The children
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'Frightened to challenge the people in charge'
THE Teesside Development Corporation was far too powerful and lacked any real accountability, according to an expert in Government-funded organisations. Professor Fred Robinson, of Durham University, said that the result was senior civil servants were
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Communities rally behind youth van plan for villages
A NEW project has been launched which aims to bring entertainment and advice to young people living in Dales communities, miles from the nearest youth club, cinema or leisure centre. Youngsters with nowhere to go are frequently blamed for outbreaks of
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Warning follows drowning
A coroner has issued a warning to youngsters following the death of a teenager who drowned at a beauty spot. Jamie Robert Kowalczyk, a non-swimmer, died in the Blue Lagoon at Womersley, North Yorkshire, on Thursday, August 8, during a day out with friends
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Trips organised
A CHARITY to help older people is organising three trips from Newton Aycliffe and Darlington this month. The Friends of Senior Citizens charity, based in Newton Aycliffe, is arranging visits to Holy Island on August 20, Hexham, via Stanhope, on August
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Family fun day to aid hospice
NEXT weekend will be full of fun as Shildon hosts a bank holiday family event. Show band The Piggies will start the activities at Shildon Leisure Centre on Saturday. The show has been organised by Thickley ward Labour Party, in aid of the Butterwick Hospice
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Applying Rocket Science to liqueur marketing strategy
COINTREAU, the famous liqueur brand, has appointed consultants Rocket Science to develop its first direct marketing strategy. The Middlesbrough firm is developing a programme to encourage Cointreau drinkers to look at the liqueur as more than an occasional
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Director is disqualified for three years
THE director of a clothing manufacturer Flex Sportswear Limited has agreed to a three-year disqualification. Stephen Dale, of Fieldfare Court, Crook Gate, Burnopfield, County Durham, has undertaken not to hold directorships or take any part in company
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News in brief: Big chance for young players
YOUNG footballers eager to catch the eye of Premiership scouts will be heading for Stokesley this winter. The town's leisure centre has teamed up with coaches from Middlesbrough's football academy to hold two ten-week long courses for five to 11-year-olds
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Inquest opens into major's death in hospital
AN inquest has opened into the death of a retired Army officer, who died two days after falling from a hospital bed. York coroner Donald Coverdale opened the hearing into the death of 91-year-old Major Harold Ernest Lewis, of Dunnington, York. He was
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Rail division boosts Balfour figures
ENGINEERING and construction group Balfour Beatty yesterday reported a 17 per cent rise in profits for the past half-year, fuelled by a sharp rise in income from its rail division. Profits at its rail engineering and services arm more than doubled to
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If you don't make the grade...
Teenagers everywhere are nervously awaiting today's A-level results. Lindsay Jennings looks at how they can still pursue a successful career path, even if they are disappionted. JOANNE Mooney clutched the tiny piece of white paper in her hand which contained
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Restoration project takes a step forward
RESTORATION plans for a park have taken a step forward with the appointment of a ranger. Tony Raine will take up the post at Ropner Park, Stockton, co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the Victorian site which has been placed on the Historic Parks
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Pupils return from the dark continent
TWELVE students have returned from a trip to Africa where they visited and worked with rural communities. During their stay in Malawi, the dozen girls from Darlington's Polam Hall School and Teesside High, in Eaglescliffe, helped to supply one village
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
SUMMER SHOW: The annual summer show is held from Saturday to Monday, August 24 to 26, at Preston Park, Eaglescliffe. There will be stalls, sideshows, a funfair, trade stands, a food court, fully licensed bar and a full arena programme. Parking is free
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Grieving family to sue over death in A and E
THE FAMILY of a woman who died in hospital in Durham after taking an overdose is to pursue a claim for clinical negligence. It follows an inquest verdict of misadventure, contributed to by neglect, recorded by North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle into
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Call for ideas to aid jobs creation
A TASK force chief has challenged Weardale people to think up ideas to replace jobs lost through a cement works closure. Dr John Bridge, chairman of development agency One NorthEast, is leading a group trying to revive the Weardale economy after Lafarge
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Firm offers quick remedy over lack of hospital beds
A COMPANY which says it could build a prefabricated ward block in just three months, is offering its help to an under-pressure North-East hospital. Bosses at the Middlesbrough-based Marske Machine Company (MMC), which is winning orders all over the UK
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Youngsters warned to stay off tracks
ARRIVA Trains Northern and British Transport Police have joined forces to warn of the dangers of playing on railway lines. The train operator is working on a number of initiatives in conjunction with BTP aimed at cutting avoidable deaths and injuries.
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Durham face impossible mission
DURHAM fans are still waiting to witness a high-scoring floodlit match after watching a woeful batting display surrender division one status in the National League at the Riverside last night. After the three-wicket defeat by new leaders Glamorgan, Durham
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Boksic on target for opener
CROATIAN Alen Boksic has given manager Steve McClaren a huge boost ahead of the new campaign. The 32-year-old striker scored in his first pre-season game yesterday when a Boro XI entertained Grimsby Town at Rockliffe Park. Boksic has been struggling with
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Skate park planned to deter vandals
THREE parks could be created in Durham for young skateboard and BMX enthusiasts. The Durham Skate and Bike Partnership hopes to win planning permission and funding for facilities at the Meadowfield and Abbey leisure centres and possibly a further park
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Former Darlington RA cricket captain mourned
A DARLINGTON cricket club is mourning the loss of one of its finest players. Norman Wilson, 80, a former player at Darlington RA Cricket Club, died at his home in Willow Road, Darlington, after an illness. Mr Wilson, known as Big Norm to his friends,
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Watson's taking care of unfinished business
GORDON Watson last night spoke of the 'unfinished business' that convinced him to stay on for another season at Hartlepool United. The 31-year-old signed a new one-year deal at Victoria Park in the summer, despite receiving offers from clubs both at home
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ntl plans prudent spending future
CABLE operator ntl yesterday said it achieved solid quarterly figures after adopting a "business as usual" approach during life-saving refinancing. The US parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May but hopes to emerge from the process
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Priest convicted of indecent assault
A parish priest is facing jail after indecently assaulting a schoolboy at his vicarage. Rev George Glover, 44, lured the youngster into his parish home in Gateshead while his wife was away, and carried out the assault. Newcastle Crown Court was told he
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Grieving family to sue over death in A and E
THE FAMILY of a woman who died in hospital in Durham after taking an overdose is to pursue a claim for clinical negligence. It follows an inquest verdict of misadventure, contributed to by neglect, recorded by North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle into
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Strays: improving but still a disgrace
THE number of stray dogs wandering the region's streets has fallen in the past year, according to a poll released yesterday. News of the decline in the figures for the North-East and Yorkshire are in stark contrast to both the national increase of three
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Death crash pair escape justice
TWO thugs responsible for mowing down and killing a pensioner have escaped justice because they lied about who was driving the car. The family of Jimmy Mulligan today spoke of their outrage after he was left to "die like a dog in the street" while his
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Crew's cutting edge
A TEAM of firefighters from Darlington and Durham came out top of 51 competing crews to win the British National Extrication Challenge at the weekend. It earned them a ticket to represent Britain at the international competition in Texas next year. The
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Hospital services merger plan is approved
THE decision whether to merge County Durham hospitals and push through controversial reforms is now in the hands of a Government minister. After an hour-long special meeting last week, County Durham and Tees Valley Health Authority backed the so-called
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Council denies breaking its word in £23,000 revamp row
A COUNCIL has denied claims that it has broken a promise to spend more than £20,000 revamping a rundown seaside area. Saltburn ward councillor Joan Sands said she was told by a Redcar and Cleveland Council officer that £23,000 had been earmarked for much-needed
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See and tell, tenants told
COUNCIL officials in Darlington are appealing for information to help them to take action against problem tenants and anti-social behaviour. The borough council says it is difficult to deal with problems in the Minors Crescent area of Branksome because
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Pub operator to invest £20m across North-East
A NEW pub operator from North Yorkshire has announced plans to invest up to £20m by the end of next year to build between 50 and 100 pubs in the region. Tadcaster Pub Company is ahead of schedule and has added the latest pub to its portfolio, the 11th
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Legal eagle faces crown court trial
A LEGAL executive stands accused of stealing £102,000 from client's wills and trust funds over seven years. Ian Spoor, 40, was responsible for handling the administration of wills and probate for dozens of clients at two North-East legal firms. But at
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Hogwarts magic - in miniature
THE magic of Harry Potter's school of witchcraft and wizardry can be viewed in miniature at a dolls' house display later this month. Members of Durham and District Dolls' House Club set themselves the theme of 'fantasy rooms' for their third annual exhibition
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Dad At Large: Waxing and wailing
OUR fourth-born - a surprise, not a mistake - has always had a fascination for hair and an associated sadistic streak. Ever since he was a baby, he's loved to grab a handful of my chest hairs and give them a damned good tug. "Dad, it's boring. Can I pull
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Church airs plans for new entrance
All Saints Church in Hurworth hopes to be able to raise the money to build a £100,000 new entrance and office. The rector, the Rev Roy Graham, is leaving in November and he believes the new office would make the job more attractive to potential successors
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Clamping row ends in ban from car park
A MOTHER is struggling to gain access to her home after council officials banned her from driving across a public car park. Paula Jo Barker has used Bondgate car park in Bishop Auckland as an easy route to her front door for 17 years. But a bitter row
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Martin repeats winning road run
HUNDREDS of runners pounded the streets of Darlington on Sunday in the annual 10K road race. Around 1,200 runners took part in the race and a 3.5k junior run and 2km family fun run were also held. The first athlete across the line in the 10k road run
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John North: And the band played on... and on
SPENNYMOOR Town Band has produced its first CD, entitled Hey Look Me Over. It could as easily have been called The Second Time Around. Since a CD was a long nurtured ambition, the musicians spent a full weekend in a local school ensuring they hit exactly
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Shake-up means more beat bobbies
POLICE chiefs have claimed that the biggest shake-up in policing in County Durham for a decade will result in at least 20 more bobbies on the beat and no redundancies. Under the changes, due to be implemented next April, the six police divisions in the
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Golden years for teachers
RETIRED teachers well known to generations of South Durham residents celebrated their golden wedding at the weekend. Dez and Betty Bone, from Escomb, have lived and worked in the area for all their 50 years of marriage. They met in 1948 when Mr Bone was
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Derwent about to fulfil his promise
WHEN it comes to investment in thoroughbreds, the north-south divide is heavily weighted in favour of those trainers located at Newmarket and Lambourn, so it was a more-than-pleasing result when Middleham-based stables had three winners and a second in
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Teddies and tots have fun
TINY tots and their teddies enjoyed a day in the sun this in the Bishop of Durham's front garden. Stately Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, welcomed hundreds of young visitors to a Teddy Bears' Picnic on its front lawns. Some curled up with their toys
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Hogwarts magic - in miniature
THE magic of Harry Potter's school of witchcraft and wizardry can be viewed in miniature at a dolls' house display later this month. Members of Durham and District Dolls' House Club set themselves the theme of 'fantasy rooms' for their third annual exhibition
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Swings shut after accident
CHILDREN'S play equipment has been condemned by a council after safety checks revealed possible faults. Nine swings and a slide around the Wear Valley District have been cordoned off as a precautionary measure. The checks followed an accident at Sunniside
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Plea for information to stop problem tenants nuisance
COUNCIL officials in Darlington are appealing for assistance to gather information to help them take action against problem tenants and anti-social behaviour. Darlington Borough Council says it is finding it difficult to deal with problems in the Minors
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Children tuning up for musical
EXCITEMENT is growing as children rehearse for a musical to be staged at the Darlington Arts Centre at the weekend. The musical What a Load of Rubbish is being produced during a week-long workshop. It will be a performed as part of the Tuned In Family
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News in brief: Company wins green award
A CONSTRUCTION company has won an environmental award for building green schools in County Durham. Eco-friendly additions to Catchgate Primary near Annfield Plain and Middlestone Moor Primary near Spennymoor have won praise for Miller Construction. The
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Comment: Passing on due credit
NO one doubts the fact that athletes today are capable of better times and distances than ever before. No one dares to suggest the mile is shorter now than it was when Roger Bannister broke the four-minute barrier in 1954. Why then do so many people automatically
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News in brief: Appeal over street attack
A 44-year-old man is recovering after an assault by a group of unknown men. It is believed that at some time last Friday, the man was set upon by a number of men as he walked between the Telstar pub and Low Grange shops in Billingham, Teesside. He made
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Tutor rolls into town
AN ACTRESS fresh from the success of Starlight Express will be keeping dance students on track when she takes up a new teaching post. Stockton and Billingham College's Centre of Vocational Excellence in Performing Arts was looking for a tutor to launch
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Store drops bid to expand
PLANS to develop Darlington's Safeway supermarket into a megastore were withdrawn at the last minute ahead of a meeting expected to discard the scheme. The dramatic turn of events was explained to Darlington Borough Council's planning applications committee
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News in brief: Company wins green award
A CONSTRUCTION company has won an environmental award for building green schools in County Durham. Eco-friendly additions to Catchgate Primary near Annfield Plain and Middlestone Moor Primary near Spennymoor have won praise for Miller Construction. The
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Grassroots: Chester-le-Street, Birtley and District
RURAL CRAFTS: Ploughmen will be taking part in a ploughing match using heavy horses on Saturday, August 24, at Beamish Museum. COFFEE MORNING: West Pelton Methodist Church is to hold a coffee morning in Chester-le- Street Methodist Church, on Saturday
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MPs call for TDC chiefs to pay for 'missing millions'
FURIOUS North-East MPs yesterday vowed to continue their fight to make leaders of a defunct development agency pay for the "missing millions". Two damning reports into the corporate mis-management of the Teesside Development Corporation (TDC) have revealed
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Race goes on despite death of founder
A FUN event guaranteed to make a splash on the charity calendar will still take place this year, despite the death of its founder. Businessman Eddie Dunn set up the River Wear Bath Race 14 years ago, partly to promote his company, Bathroom Unique. It
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'Farmers should look at partnerships'
ARABLE farmers across Yorkshire are being urged to consider partnerships with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which could unlock grants from Europe and help dwindling species of birds to colonise the countryside. The principles behind
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Brave PC praised for disarming man
A POLICE officer who tackled a mentally unstable gunman in a busy hospital has been praised for her courage. PC Karen Winter, 37, was officially commended by George Hedges, the chief constable of Durham. The brave PC, who is based at South Moor in Stanley
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Prison term for sword attacker
A MAN who was at the centre of a stand-off with armed police after attacking his partner with an ornamental Samurai sword was jailed for two-and-a-half years. John Piggins kicked open the door of Dawn Elliott's home in Leadgate before confronting her
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Quakers' dual deal
Darlington are hoping to add two more players to their squad this morning The players, whose names are not being released until they sign, are both midfielders and it is believed one was with a Third Division club last season while the other is an experienced
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Suspension leaves Moors in limbo
UniBond League club Spennymoor have been suspended by the Football Association. And Moors may be forced to postpone this Saturday's scheduled First Division opener against Leek Town at the Brewery Field. The FA are unhappy with the financial arrangements
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Brave PC praised for disarming man
A POLICE officer who tackled a mentally unstable gunman in a busy hospital has been praised for her courage. PC Karen Winter, 37, was officially commended by George Hedges, the chief constable of Durham. The brave PC, who is based at South Moor in Stanley
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County promotes caring careers
A COUNCIL is building on a national campaign to boost its social services recruitment. The Department of Health's campaign to attract more social services staff has already generated more than 14,000 inquiries to a national helpline. Requests for application
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Test drive is a tall order for bobby
IT'S a bit of a squeeze for a police force's tallest bobby to fit into the world's smallest police car. Crime prevention officer PC John Hedley, based at Chester-le-Street, County Durham is 6ft 8in, while the Honda Smart car is just 6ft 6in long and only
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Window display has Wow factor
STAFF at a speciality coffee shop were full of beans after scooping a civic award. The Durham branch of Whittard of Chelsea was judged to have the best shop window by the city's Mayor, Coun Eileen Rochford. She went on a window-shopping tour of the city
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An era ends - but life must go on
THE eerie silence which fell over an isolated corner of the region on Friday spoke volumes for the mood of the men and women who had just lost the jobs they loved. For the first time in nearly four decades of round-the-clock working, the giant dusty grey
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Dale makes new plea for cash as plant shuts
FORTY years of cement-making in Weardale has ended with a plea for Government money to help one of the most deprived parts of Britain. The dale has lost 147 jobs with the closure on Friday. of Lafarge UK's Blue Circle Works, at Eastgate But it is hoped
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Gala theatre decision nearing
THE future of a £14m theatre beset by financial problems could be finally decided at a crunch council meeting later this month. Durham's Gala theatre was placed into the hands of the city council when its management company crashed in May with debts of
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Sculpture echoes rich heritage
ECHOES of Willington's rich industrial heritage are being captured in a new sculpture being given pride of place in its revamped town centre. Willington Community Partnership and youth group members have worked with Hunwick artist Graeme Hopper on designs
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Council tax threat to 'gentleman of the road'
THE owner of a barn used by a notorious tramp may find himself landed with a hefty council tax demand - as a town gets tough with an unwelcome visitor. The fate of vagrant Mel Bird has divided the small community in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, for months
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Shake-up means more beat bobbies
POLICE chiefs have claimed that the biggest shake-up in policing in County Durham for a decade will result in at least 20 more bobbies on the beat and no redundancies. Under the changes, due to be implemented next April, the six police divisions in the
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Cleaner stuck by needle
A HOSPITAL cleaner will have to undergo tests for hepatitis after she was pricked with a used hypodermic needle while cleaning the toilets. Claire Hopper, from Middlehope Grove, Bishop Auckland, spoke about her anguish of also having to go through an
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Thomas has a dream
A BUDDING actor could be following in the footsteps of a famous old boy at his school. Thomas Wells was selected from hundreds of hopefuls to land the lead role of Oliver! for a summer holiday youth drama production being staged in Durham. The stage-struck
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Hospital services merger plan is approved
THE decision whether to merge County Durham hospitals and push through controversial reforms is now in the hands of a Government minister. After an hour-long special meeting last week, County Durham and Tees Valley Health Authority backed the so-called
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A-level passes soar as row rages
A RECORD high in the number of A-level passes last night reignited the row over the so called "dumbing down" of exams. One in five A-level students has achieved a grade A this year while the pass rate has soared to 94.3 per cent - more than four per cent
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Elliott denied glorious debut in Roses clash
Australian Matthew Elliott almost earned a place in the record books on his first appearance for Yorkshire in the Roses match at Old Trafford yesterday. The tall left-hander, who has replaced fellow countryman Darren Lehmann for the remainder of the season
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A-level joy for thousands
THOUSANDS of students are celebrating their A-level results today with a record high in the number of passes. One in five A-level students has achieved a grade A while the pass rate has soared to more than 94 per cent. In North Yorkshire, 96 per cent
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Nightmare of invasion by giant spiders
AN invasion of alarmingly large spiders has forced a wheelchair-bound woman to leave her North-East home. Bridget Kenny has even been treated with anti-venom after her hand and back began to swell where she was bitten by the hairy intruders - some of
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School fields set for development
PART of a Darlington comprehensive school's playing fields are expected to be set aside for development. The land, including a redundant running track, at the town's Longfield Comprehensive School, has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Department
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Three-legged Flick in need of loving family
A DOG that lost a leg in a road accident needs a new home. Flick, a labrador-cross, was badly injured by a car in the Neasham Road area of Darlington three weeks ago. A passer-by took pity on the dog and took it to the Stanhope Park veterinary surgery
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Opportunity to voice views about services for disabled
PEOPLE who make use of aids or home adaptations for the disabled or elderly are being invited to make their views about the service known. A special meeting has been arranged by Stockton Borough Council for people who are currently using, have needed
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Brothers warned on 'wages of crime'
A JUDGE warned two brothers that the wages of crime are longer spells in prison. Yesterday, Judge Michael Taylor told Michael Watson, 35, that he was looking at a five-year jail sentence, and said that his brother, Phillip, 33, was heading the same way
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News in brief: Extra support for the Toon
A new branch of the Newcastle United Supporters' Club has been formed. The club's Newton Aycliffe branch held its first meeting last Sunday, at the town's Dandy Cart pub, in Silverdale. The next meeting will be on Sunday, at 3pm, at the same venue. Phillip
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Nature reserve work planned
DARLINGTON councillors are expected to approve proposals for its staff to carry on work at a wildlife reserve. Firthmoor grasslands has been managed by Darlington Borough Council as a nature reserve for ten years. At present, workers are developing a
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Experts praise midwife skills
TRAINING schemes to give midwives in County Durham some of the same skills as junior doctors have been praised by national inspectors. The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) gave special mention to the midwife training in its assessment of the South
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Bruising encounter as nature reserve calls in the heavy help
WHEN it came to clearing bracken from a moorland nature reserve and machinery was not up to the job, conservationists knew who to call in. Heavy horse Tees has been helping to clear bracken from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Fen Bog reserve, on the North
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Nursing chief quits post over racist remark
ONE of the most senior nurses in the country has resigned after making an apparent racist remark. Pat Bottrill, who was awarded an MBE five years ago for services to nursing, has quit as chairwoman of the Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) governing council
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Tributes to centenarian
FRIENDS at a residential care home have paid tribute to a woman who has died just two months after celebrating her 100th birthday. Mary Annie Elliott was the first resident to celebrate her centenary at Parklands Residential Home, in Crook, on June 10
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Summer fair round-up
FUNDRAISERS at Shotley Bridge Hospital are appealing for donations of unwanted goods for a summer fair next month. The fair takes place in the hospital's former dining room on September 1 from 1.30pm. There will be stalls selling bric-a-brac, cakes, plants
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Housing lack 'hitting employers'
CIVIC leaders are taking action after a major report highlighted the lack of affordable housing in North Yorkshire. A survey, carried out by the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies at Birmingham University, showed Harrogate as having the biggest problem
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Talks on troubled glass centre
MANAGERS of a troubled visitor attraction are to hold talks with the Government on an action plan. The future of the National Glass Centre in Sunderland has been secured for the next three years, thanks to a £500,000 grant. The cash will come from the
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Rail, air and road battle heats up
DELAY-HIT passengers may not believe it, but some rail journeys are quicker and cheaper than trips by car or plane, a survey claims. The survey for East Coast Mainline train operator GNER compared price, performance and journey times on trains, planes
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Anger as work on town's flood defences stalls
GAS company Transco and Railtrack have been criticised for holding up work on flood defences in a part of the region which has suffered more than any other. Residents of Norton, in North Yorkshire, have been sent letters this week explaining why work
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Favour that bloomed into poppy love
LOUISE Wood was happy to help out as a volunteer charity collector when asked by a friend - but little did she realise she would go on to become one of the longest-serving fundraisers in the country. The 87-year-old, from Normanby, near Kirkbymoorside
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Backing for MP in war of words
A RESIDENTS' group is backing its local MP in his battle with councillors to clean up the heart of a former mining town. Earlier this year, North Durham MP Kevan Jones started a war of words with Derwentside District Council, dubbing the authority "about
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Authority chooses farmer a third time
A FARMER has been voted in for a third term of office as chairman of a park authority. Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning committee chose Kevin Lancaster as leader and Professor Roy Swanston deputy, at a meeting this week. Mr Lancaster
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Go on the sauce, advises doctor
A doctor is advising patients to hit the bottle in a bid to beat prostate problems. However the sauce that he wants them to have is tomato ketchup. Dr Anand has been recommending that men increase their intake of lycopene, a substance found in tomatoes
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Clubs are sold in £3m deal
A nightclub is believed to have been sold as part of a £3m deal. Bar and nightclub group Springwood, based in Swithland, Leicestershire, has agreed to buy eight venues from rival First Leisure Trading, it was revealed yesterday. Two of the nightclubs
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Staff at DIY chain receive record bonus
THOUSANDS of staff at DIY specialists B&Q have shared in a £25m windfall. About 30,000 employees at 320 stores and the company's head office in Southampton have received 8.25 per cent of their salaries as part of a profit share scheme. B&Q announced
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Brothers warned over 'wages of crime'
A JUDGE warned two brothers that the wages of crime are longer spells in prison. Yesterday, Judge Michael Taylor told Michael Watson, 35, that he was looking at a five-year jail sentence, and said that his brother, Phillip, 33, was heading the same way
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Conversion go-ahead
CHESTER-LE-STREET councillors have approved plans to convert derelict farm buildings at Urpeth Forge, near Urpeth, Stanley into boarding kennels and a cattery with accomodation for about 40 animals. Durham County Council's archaeology department said
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Skatepark to be unveiled
A SKATEPARK will be unveiled at the end of this month, bringing months of hard work to fruition. Work started on the skatepark, in Hackworth Park, Shildon, earlier this year, after a successful bid to Sport England for £76,000 to fund the project. After
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News in brief: Company wins green award
A CONSTRUCTION company has won an environmental award for building green schools in County Durham. Eco-friendly additions to Catchgate Primary near Annfield Plain and Middlestone Moor Primary near Spennymoor have won praise for Miller Construction. The
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Prizes for borough in bloom
THE winners of Stockton Borough Council's parks and countryside 2002 garden competition will be revealed later this month. The winners will be presented with their prizes at a presentation event on Thursday, August 29. More than 30 gardeners from Stockton
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What the best-dressed crab is wearing
An aquarium has had to shell out for designer homes to re-house its stock of fussy hermit crabs. The cranky crustaceans refused to move into the drab crab dwellings provided in their tanks. So bosses had to import some sophisticated shells - and now the
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Farmer puts his faith in nature
A FARMER who gave up his prize-winning dairy herd to switch to organic methods, has now opened a farm shop. Ken Wade, who runs the 260-acre Larberry Pastures farm, near Longnewton Village, hopes the new shop, with its emphasis on organic products, will
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Alley gates help to deter crime
RESIDENTS in North Ormesby are benefiting from an extension of Middlesbrough's alleygating initiative. The latest phase of the project will see 37 new gates installed, covering more than 400 households. Access will be limited to resident key holders.
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Fight goes on to save voles
WILDLIFE workers are asking people in Sunderland to help save endangered animals living in the city's waterways. The country's water vole population is declining faster than any other mammal in Britain and could face extinction within the next five years
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Scot Shaun's double act
SCOTSMAN Shaun Campbell is hoping to make his fortune with the face of England football captain David Beckham. The Edinburgh-born 21-year-old, who often gets mistaken for the Manchester United star, has launched a career as a Becks look-alike. So far,
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News in brief: Big chance for young players
YOUNG footballers eager to catch the eye of Premiership scouts will be heading for Stokesley this winter. The town's leisure centre has teamed up with coaches from Middlesbrough's football academy to hold two ten-week long courses for five to 11-year-olds
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Wright heads for Sunderland
SUNDERLAND boss Peter Reid has added the first buy of the summer to his under-fire squad. The Black Cats chief is understood to have completed the capture of Liverpool full-back Stephen Wright. The right-sided defender will be unveiled at a Press conference
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Rape case man on bogus cop charge
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with raping a prostitute and impersonating a police officer. Michael Walton, 39, of The Green, High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, is accused of attacking the 18-year-old vice girl in Middlesbrough in the early
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N-E native is region's BBC boss
A Durham University graduate who describes herself as "a North Easterner through and through" has been named as the region's new BBC boss. Wendy Pilmer takes over as Newcastle-based head of regional and local programmes for BBC North East and Cumbria
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Festival with international flavour
CHILDREN and young people enjoyed a colourful spectacle of music and dance yesterday at the 38th Billingham International Folklore Festival. The festival invited youngsters along for free to the event's official youth day, when performers from around
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School fields set for development
PART of a Darlington comprehensive school's playing fields are expected to be set aside for development. The land, including a redundant running track, at the town's Longfield Comprehensive School, has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Department
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'Death threat' family deported despite community fight
A KOSOVAN family, who claimed they would be killed if they returned home, will be deported today - despite a determined campaign to keep them in Britain. The Ibrahimi family came to Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in 1999 after fleeing Kosovo along with thousands
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Centenary wreath for Boer War victims
THE courage of men who laid down their lives for their country in the Boer War has been honoured to mark the centenary of the end of the conflict. Members of the Friends of the Green Howards Museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, commemorated the return
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News in brief: Extra support for the Toon
A NEW branch of the Newcastle United Supporters' Club has been formed. The club's Newton Aycliffe branch held its first meeting last Sunday, at the town's Dandy Cart pub, in Silverdale. The next meeting will be on Sunday, at 3pm, at the same venue. Phillip
